World number two Rafael Nadal progressed to the fourth round of Wimbledon courtesy of a 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Saturday afternoon.
The two-time Wimbledon champion needed one hour and 48 minutes to overcome his French opponent, who had no answer to the power on display from Rafa on Center Court.
The French Open champion raced through the first set and then hit top form for a time in the second when Tsonga attempted to dig in on Centre Court. Serene progress was sealed swiftly in the third and Rafa advanced into the second week of the Grand Slam in London for another year. Waiting for our champ in round four will be either Portuguese No. 1 Joao Sousa or Brit Daniel Evans. He has not played Evans, and he owns a 2-0 series lead against Sousa.
He told BBC:
I was very happy. I played a great match from the beginning to the end. I was aggressive with the forehand and backhand. Jo is one of those players you don’t want to face early but today was my day.
Every single day is a battle here. I’m happy with the way that I played in the first week. It’s day by day now. I’ll try to have a good practice session.
I have been in the second week of Wimbledon nine times but in Grand Slams it’s a lot more. It’s something that is important and gives me a positive feeling. Tomorrow I start the work again.
Rafael Nadal waves to the crowd as he walks on for his match on day six of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves in his Men’s Singles third round match against Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France during Day six of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: The shoes of Rafael Nadal (ESP) are seen in action against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) during their Gentlemen’s Singles 3rd Round match on Day 6 of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 6, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his Men’s Singles third round match against Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France during Day six of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Rafael Nadal (ESP) ties his bandana before his Gentlemen’s Singles 3rd Round match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) on Day 6 of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 6, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal during his match against Jo-Wilfred Songa on day six of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Rafael Nadal (ESP) in action against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) during their Gentlemen’s Singles 3rd Round match on Day 6 of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 6, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal (ESP) playing against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) in the Gentlemen’s Singles on Centre Court. The Championships 2019. Held at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Day 6 Saturday 06/07/2019. Credit: AELTC/Ben Solomon
. The Championships 2019. Held at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. {year4}{month0}{day0}. Credit: AELTC/Ben Solomon
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain changes his shirt in a change of serve in his Men’s Singles third round match against Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France during Day six of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal in action on day six of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal (ESP) celebrates during play in the third round of the Gentlemen’s Singles on Centre Court. The Championships 2019. Held at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Day 6 Saturday 06/07/2019. Credit: AELTC/Ben Solomon
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his Men’s Singles third round match against Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France during Day six of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Rafael Nadal (ESP) wears an orange watch as he holds a handful of balls against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) during their Gentlemen’s Singles 3rd Round match on Day 6 of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 6, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal in action on day six of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain changes his racket between change of serve in his Men’s Singles third round match against Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France during Day six of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal changes his shirt in a break between games against France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga during their men’s singles third round match on the sixth day of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 6, 2019. (Photo by GLYN KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France and Rafael Nadal of Spain shake hands at the net following their Men’s Singles third round match during Day six of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France and Rafael Nadal of Spain shake hands at the net following their Men’s Singles third round match during Day six of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Rafael Nadal(L) of Spain greets Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France after their Men’s Singles third round match during Day six of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal (R) embraces France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (L) during their men’s singles third round match on the sixth day of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 6, 2019. (Photo by GLYN KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Rafael Nadal(L) of Spain greets Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France after their Men’s Singles third round match during Day six of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Rafael Nadal(L) of Spain greets Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France after their Men’s Singles third round match during Day six of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Rafael Nadal(L) of Spain greets Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France after their Men’s Singles third round match during Day six of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images)
. The Championships 2019. Held at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. {year4}{month0}{day0}. Credit: AELTC/Ben Solomon
6th July 2019, The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, England, Wimbledon Tennis Tournament, Day 6; Rafael Nadal (ESP) celebrates his 3 set win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) (photo by Shaun Brooks/Action Plus via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Rafael Nadal of Spain greets the audience after his Men’s Singles third round match against Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France during Day six of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France and Rafael Nadal of Spain shake hands at the net following their Men’s Singles third round match during Day six of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 06, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
epa07699255 Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during their third round match at the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 06 July 2019. EPA-EFE/WILL OLIVER EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO COMMERCIAL SALES
Rafael Nadal following victory over Jo-Wilfred Tsonga on day six of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal following victory over Jo-Wilfred Tsonga on day six of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Rafael Nadal (ESP) during his match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) in their Gentleman’s Singles Third Round match during Day 6 of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 6, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)
A delightful match to watch thank you Rafa
The Tennis Channel started showing Rafa and then it turned the court to Serena Williams . They didn’t even show us enough to know that Rafa won the first set. I was like pulling my hair our of my head. I really could care less about the ladies tennis I’m in to seeing Rafa play. I was recording it but had to stop because they wouldn’t show any of his match once Serena took over. So disappointed in the Tennis Channel and to think I have to pay extra for it. So glad to hear he won.
Rafa in his element…a respected and respectful opponent, a strong tennis match, a great way to enter the final week!!!! Calm, cool, collected and ready!!!😊
Good that Rafa had a relatively easy match . After all the emotional stuff v Kyrgios he needs time to reccst and recover .
I like JWT and it was so lovely to see the genuine affection between them at the net .
Second week v Sousa , whom Rafa knows well . They practice together .
Wonderful to see Rafa in such good form , happy and confident .
Keep it going Rafa .🍀
Congratulations, Rafa!
Congrats to Rafa and your team, great performance. Keep up the great work. I agree, you can win this trophy!!
Love watching you play always.
Joni from USA
BEAUTIFUL AND VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):) YOU ARE A BRILLIANT NATURAL GRASS GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):) YOUR FEISTY POWERFUL PLAYING LOOKS JUST RIGHT ON GRASS IN EVERY WAY !!!!!!:) VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!:)
XOXOXOXOXO. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SOLID PRECIOUS SPECTACULAR VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):) BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):) YOU ARE IT IN TOP TOP TOP TOP TRUE TENNIS TROPHY EARNING!!!!!!!:) YOU LOOK MAGNIFICENT OUT THERE AND HEAD TO HEAD TENNIS RAFA NADAL , YOU ARE THE BRIGHTEST STRONGEST, MOST FIT TENNIS GOAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):) YOUR MATCH WAS BEAUTIFUL AND HEROIC AND YOUR BLESSED FEISTINESS ALWAYS MIGHTY INSPIRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) THE ULTIMATE TENNIS HERO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) VERY SPECIAL SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) YOU ARE STRIDING POWERFULLY AND EVERY POINT YOU PLAY HAS SO MUCH BEAUTY SO MUCH PASSION SO MUCH PRECIOUS DRIVE AND TOP TOP TOP CLASSY GORGEOUS TENNIS AND COURT PRESENCE!!!!!!!!!:) THE CROWDS LOVE YOU AND WE LOVE YOU DEAR RAFA AND VERY HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE AND A NATURAL ALL SURFACES SOLID TENNIS GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) VAMOS AND ENJOY EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) CELEBRATE WITH YOUR PRECIOUS TEAM AND HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!!:) KEEP SMILING SWEETHEART AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING!!!!!!!!:) YOU ROCK DEAR RAFA AND IT IS VERY ENJOYABLE TO WATCH YOUR COURT MAGIC!!!!!!!!!:) GO RAFA GO AND VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Beautiful performance by Rafa today… … cool, calm and in command…
I honestly think Thursday’s match against Kyrgios really sharpened Rafa’s game on grass..
He turned it up a notch then and he turned it up even more today….
Enjoy your dinner with some R & R .
Tomorrow …it’s back to work…. as the path becomes clearer and clearer…..
VAMOS RAFA!!!
Done and won-congratulations on a great match. Enjoyed seeing the camaraderie at the end🥰
Thank you for a fantastic first week-nothing but the best in week 2.🙏👏💪👍🤛 Rafael Nadal-
you are a warrior and a gentleman🍀❤️
Rafa what an outstanding match you played I’m so pleased for you and I’m extremely happy about it. Your shots are breathtaking. I very much look forward to seeing you lift the trophy next week!
Love and best wishes from your greatest fan Jo from England!
One more done. Great match for you to keep the positive momentum going. One week down. Now onto week two. Let the games begin. Happy and proud of the way you are playing and handling things. Good luck let the bull out let’s win this all England game. My Mr tennis Go Rafa
Terrific performance! What an awesome match, well done Rafa👏😁
Nice moment at the net, all smiling, mutual respect👍 Better luck to JW Tsonga when his opponent is not Rafa👌
All the best in the second week🍀 Vamos💪❤️
Jo looked very flat, but I had enough drama during the Kyrgios match and was glad to see Rafa get an easy win!
For sure, Setinthepast. Thursday’s encounter was a real emotional roller coaster for me as well as Rafa. I’m also glad Rafa was able to play a short match today and conserve his energy.
And I second that.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
THREE DOWN!
FOUR TO GO!
YES YOU CAN RAFA!
Two players have impressed me the most yhus far – Rafa Nadal ofcourse and Ugo Humbert.
Ugo Humbert’s destruction of up and coming talent, FAA was so totally dominant and professional!!!
I wont be surprised if he turns the table against Novak on Monday.
But, as always, we’d see….cheers
Felix did admit to being nervous but added that Humbert seemed to be a different player, that he has improved. I can’t say he’s improved to the point that he can beat Djokovic.
RAFA ROCKS
One more win in the bank for Rafa.Fabulous performance! Looking great. Lovely guy Jo-Wilfred, but he looked flat – all one way traffic. I hope his right hand is ok.
Great slow motion pic of Rafa and Jo-Wilfred embracing at the end. That’s what you call genuine mutual respect.
Well done Rafa, great news. Good Luck for the rest of the tournament.💙💙💙💙💙
Rafa is certainly on a mission to get his third WIMBY win. I AM SOOO HAPPY FOR HIM GOING INTO WEEK TWO.
RAFA ROCKS
Yes, Bravo Nadal 😀 I prayed as always, went out shopping in Paris , came home and read the Mallorca daily News in Spanish where they are so pleased for him😎, they put it Nadal rolls into the 8 th round 🎾 . Aren t thèse photos lovely and clear of today 😅 in the Fan Club, send my compliments to the photographer ☺ Our Tsonga so smiley after the match 😁 a nice naturel person , you can see that they are good friends. Fognini out 😐 one less threat of recent opponents. Good rest tomorrow manana. ☺ Fiona in Paris
What a match. Perfect from the start until the end. Well done Rafa.
Take rest and than all the best for monday….the tournament is far away from over😉
Vamos Rafa <3